London, Ont., mayor Ed Holder has announced his plans to retire from politics after 11 years in the profession and not seek a second term as mayor in the municipal election in October.
Holder was elected London’s 64th mayor during the October 2018 municipal election, after serving two terms as London West MP from 2008 to 2015.
“The opportunity to serve as mayor has truly been the honour of a lifetime. I’ve often said that mine is the best job anyone could ever hope to have, serving the greatest city in the world,” said Holder.
“As I prepare to enjoy life beyond politics, I take great pride in this council’s accomplishments. Together, we have made historic investments in support of our most vulnerable, along with transformative changes to London’s transit system. Our economy is the strongest anywhere in Ontario, and we’re among the fastest-growing cities in Canada,” he said.
Holder told Global News that given some recent health issues, he was not sure he could serve another four years as mayor with the commitment it requires.
“It’s made me think about this last three and a half years and what the role of a mayor requires. You have got to run 100 miles an hour, and you have got to do 70 hours a week. That’s absolutely true, and I suppose what’s happened in the last while is if I were going to commit to another term of four years, can I with certainty make that guarantee to Londoners? And I wasn’t sure that I could,” Holder said.
“If I can’t be at the very top of what I do … then I can’t continue in that role. I just don’t think that’s fair to London, and I don’t think it’s fair to council, and I don’t think it’s fair to me.”
“I think we were leaving on top of the game, and I think London is the strongest it’s ever been,” Holder said.
In his statement Tuesday, Holder said he was looking forward to other pursuits at a “more relaxed pace.”
“My decision not to seek a second term as mayor comes after much reflection and discussions with family,” Holder said. “In the meantime, there’s still much important work to accomplish between now and the election. I remain fully committed to my responsibilities and duties.”
While serving as London West MP Holder also served as the Federal Minister of Science and Technology.
During his time as mayor, he set out to tackle issues such as unemployment, affordable housing and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery that is to follow.
During Tuesday night’s city council meeting, deputy mayor Josh Morgan praised Holder for his political career.
“His volunteerism has been recognized with more than two dozen awards, including the Canada 125 medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the sovereign’s medal for volunteerism,” Morgan said.
“Mayor Holder has been proud to call London home for over four decades — student, family man, business leader, community leader, volunteer, philanthropist, member of Parliament, minister, and until Nov. 14, 2022, mayor of the City of London. Mayor Holder, Ed, on behalf of the residents of London, Ont., thank you for your ongoing service to this great community.”
Before entering politics he was the president of Stevenson & Hunt Insurance Brokers and served on the board of the London Chamber of Commerce.
Holder has a long history of community service, having run the Business Cares Food Drive and volunteering with the Rotary Club of London, the United Way and St. John Ambulance in addition to co-chairing the annual Rockin’ New Year’s Eve event in Victoria Park.
This news leaves the race for the city’s next mayor wide open, with candidates still able to register for the 2022 municipal election.
– with files from Global News’ Devon Peacock